The best fall herb companions are parsley, cilantro, dill, chives, and thyme. These herbs thrive in cool weather just like your fall veggies. They grow right alongside your crops. Plant them now for fresh seasoning through November.
Many herbs grow with vegetables fall through first frost and beyond. Parsley handles temps down to 20°F (-6°C) without cover. Thyme stays green under snow. Cilantro bolts in summer heat but loves the cool autumn days you're giving it.
I tested growing herbs with my fall vegetables for five seasons. My autumn herb garden saves me space and looks great. My cilantro grows next to lettuce. Parsley edges my carrot bed. Thyme creeps along the paths. Every inch of garden does double duty.
When I first tried fall herbs, I made a big mistake. I planted basil next to my September lettuce. The basil died within two weeks. Basil fails when nights drop below 50°F (10°C). South Dakota State warns that basil leaves turn black in cool weather. Skip the basil in fall.
Some herbs help your vegetables grow better too. Dill attracts good bugs that eat aphids. Chives keep carrot rust flies away. Thyme's strong smell confuses pests looking for your brassicas. You get pest control and fresh herbs from the same plants.
Parsley
- Cold tolerance: Survives down to 20°F (-6°C) with mulch. One of the hardiest herbs for your fall garden.
- Best paired with: Carrots, tomatoes (late season), and asparagus beds. May boost flavor when planted near.
- Growing tips: Start from transplants for faster harvest. Seeds take 3 weeks to sprout and you'll run out of time.
Cilantro
- Cold tolerance: Handles light frost and thrives in cool weather. Bolts fast in summer but grows slow in fall.
- Best paired with: Lettuce, spinach, and beans. The water needs match up well for easy bed planning.
- Growing tips: Sow seeds every 2 weeks for steady supply. Cut outer leaves first to keep plants going.
Thyme
- Cold tolerance: Evergreen in most climates. Survives under snow and comes back strong each spring for you.
- Best paired with: Cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Strong scent helps hide your brassicas from pests.
- Growing tips: Plant along bed edges as a living border. Creeping types spread to fill gaps between plants.
Place your herbs where they'll get at least 4 hours of sunlight each day. Most fall herbs handle partial shade just fine. That's good news since your tall fall vegetables might cast shadows. Tuck herbs into spots that would go empty otherwise.
I harvest my herbs different than vegetables. Take just a few stems at a time. Leave the plant growing. This gives you fresh seasonings for months. Cut more than a third of any plant and you'll slow its growth too much. Be patient for bigger harvests.
Your fall garden needs fresh herbs for the kitchen. Parsley, cilantro, and thyme grow easy in cool weather. Pair them with your vegetables for pest control and better flavors. Skip the basil until next summer. These cool weather herbs will serve you much better.
Read the full article: Fall Vegetable Garden: Best Crops to Plant
